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Responsibilities of the President's office

Duties of the President of the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention

Revised October 2024

Prior to assuming office at the annual meeting

1. Select and invite the members and Chair of the incoming Nominations and Elections Committee.
2. Work with Council to determine committee rosters and invite new committee members for the term starting July 1.
3. Prepare agenda for Council 2, working with staff.

After assuming office

1. Chair Council 2 and all subsequent teleconferences and meetings through Council 1 at the Annual Meeting the following year. Ensure an agenda and supporting materials are posted for Council review the week before the teleconference or meeting.
2. Personally thank your Program Committee and any other individuals who helped organize the program for the meeting that just ended.
3. Personally thank all speakers and session chairs.
4. Make official appointments to all standing committees that have vacancies.
5. Review any existing ad hoc committees, determine whether each should continue, appoint new members to specific ad hoc committees as appropriate.
6. As needed, establish new ad hoc committees to pursue specific objectives. Make sure each committee has a specific, written charge along with timelines.
7. Contact Sustaining Members to thank them for their support and initiate renewals in October;
8. Select the Warkany Lecturer, in consultation with Council, as soon as possible.
9. Participate in the Annual Meeting Sponsorship Workgroup, co-chaired by the Vice-President/Program Chair and Treasurer.
10. Support the Vice-President/Program Chair in their coordination of the annual meeting with DNTS, OTIS and others.
11. In preparation for the Annual Meeting taking place at the end of your year as President, invite past presidents, honorees, and Sustaining Member representatives to the Past President and Honorees Luncheon, coordinating with staff.
12. Write President's Welcome for the opening session of the annual meeting.
13. During the Annual Meeting encourage nonmember speakers and attendees to join the society and check in with trainees attending the meeting to ensure they are having a positive experience.
14. Actively participate in the entire Annual Meeting, specifically including all awards sessions, the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Platform, the Innovator Platform, all poster sessions, and all social/networking events.
15. Review the Society's monthly financial statements provided by the Executive Director.
16. Actively participate as a member of the Publications Committee, Finance Committee, Constitution and Bylaws Committee, and Program Committee.